Greetings!

In December 2022, we provided you with a brief update on our efforts to modify HMDCB’s Continuing Certification Program (CCP). As shared in that message, our goal is to provide updates on these changes as well as opportunities for you to ask questions. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am excited to share with you today that after two years of research, learning from other medical boards, and gathering certificant feedback, the new CCP requirements have been finalized.

The Board has decided to transition from a high-stakes recertification exam to a longitudinal assessment model. This change will provide you with opportunities for continuous learning on an annual basis while eliminating the need to submit CME and visit a test center to take the recertification exam. Part of this change is to ensure that the new program is less onerous and more valuable to your role as a hospice physician/medical director. By participating in a longitudinal assessment on an annual basis, you can assess your knowledge in the five content domains of HMDCB’s Content Blueprint, discover areas of improvement, and increase your knowledge through instant feedback and reference lists.

To review the full program requirements, please review this document.

We plan to implement this new program during the first quarter of 2024. Your current credential is valid until November 30, 2024. However, you are eligible to recertify a year early in 2023. Since you are eligible to recertify this year, you have two options for recertification:

  • Option 1 : Recertify in 2023 - meet the current CCP requirements and take the recertification exam in 2023. If you pass, your credential will be valid through November 30, 2030 and you will not have to participate in the new CCP until January 1, 2031.

  • Option 2: Recertify in 2024 – wait until next year to recertify. This means you do not have to apply, submit CME, pay a fee, or take the recertification exam in 2023. If you select this option, you will be required to start participating in the new CCP in 2024.
 
We know this is a considerable change and you may have questions. Therefore, we encourage you to review this FAQ document, visit our booth at the Annual Assembly to connect with staff and Board members, or attend a virtual Town Hall on April 13, 2023 at 1 pm CT to learn about the new requirements and ask questions. You can also submit questions online by clicking here.

Please note, there are still program details that need to be finalized and we will continue to update you through email, by expanding the FAQ document, and by hosting additional Town Hall meetings. Our goal is to ensure we communicate with you throughout the development and implementation of this new program, so we encourage you to check your email regularly for updates. 

We are excited to implement this new program and look forward to sharing more about these changes. If you have immediate questions or concerns, please contact HMDCB’s Operations Manager, Gina Parisi, at gparisi@hmdcb.org.
 
Best, 
David Wensel, DO FAAHPM HMDC
President